Standing court around us,
providing the air we breathe
Observing humanities triumph,
also our many tragedies
We walk around unconscious,
unaware of their power
Never stopping to wonder,
gaze or admire
The magic in their branches,
the gifts in their leaves
When will light dawn,
on all earth’s human beings
That we are living among angels,
in the guise of our trees
~Lee Reynolds~ Christmas 2019
Twenty five years ago we landscaped the bottom of our third acre lot. Our oldest daughter, Alyssa, was about to start kindergarten and we wanted to have a peaceful spot where she could wait for the school bus in the morning, and a welcoming place to greet her upon returning home. One of the trees we planted in that area was a Paper Bark Birch.
Birch are lovely, graceful, deciduous trees with pale bark and bright, heart-shaped leaves. Their species is called, “Betula,” which in Latin means, “to shine.” The Native peoples of Canada built their birch bark canoes from these trees and you can even tap them. Oh yes, the maple tree is not the only tree you can tap for syrup, the birch tree’s sap has a wintergreen flavour that many people prefer. Birch sap is commonly known for its detoxifying, diuretic, cleansing and purifying properties, and can be enjoyed fresh straight out of the tree.
Here’s a link to an article on the six delicious things you can do with the sap if you want to learn more.
Some visitors to our home over the years would exclaim, “Oh you would have a perfect view of the lake if not for that tree.” I never saw it that way. Trees were equally magnificent to view in my opinion. In the summer the soft green branches framed the view brilliantly, adding more colour and movement to the picture. In the winter, the white trunk and bare branches glistened in contrast with a crisp, blue sky day.
Also, I had a sense that our birch was a strong sentinel watching over our children as they grew. Although it was planted below the safety our our children’s fenced in play area, the shade of this tree in summer kept them cool. The children would pick up the thin branches that would sometimes fall and carry them in their hands making swords and various poking sticks. Or they would gather the smaller twigs and make faerie houses, encouraging wee folk to visit after our children were called in for dinner.
In spring each year, once the snow melted, our children liked to go and stand near the birch, on the large boulder we call the wishing rock, for it has a white circle in the middle. Our children would close their eyes tightly and upon opening them they would smile widely, knowing their wish would come true. I like to think that our birch and our wishing rock created strong roots for the love of nature in our children’s hearts.
I was so sad when our birch tree died last year.
I have to say that I feel a sense of guilt over the demise of our tree, since I’ve been so busy in the last ten years saying goodbye to my mom and raising our children, that I haven’t been caring for our trees and plants as I used to before our family life got so hectic. It was too late though when we realized a spray head in our irrigation system was not working, by that time, we lost two pyramidal cedars and I believe, our birch tree could not with stand the drought either.
What is remarkable to me, however, is that even though this beautiful tree is gone, she continues to give to our family and to the birds who still alight on her bare branches.
Last year, some of those dry branches started to fall which allowed us to enjoy many summer evenings eating gooey s’mores around our fire pit. David made a lamp for our oldest daughter, Alyssa, using one of the larger branches for the base of the lamp. Alyssa lit up when she opened her gift. I could tell from her appreciative smile that she would treasure that piece from the birch, taking a bit of her childhood to her new home by the sea.
For my sister C’s birthday last year, I made a birch branch inspired wind chime, using the metal bracelets she had given me and copper and aluminum pipes in varying lengths. I wish I had taken a picture of that creation as I thought it turned out pretty cool. The BEST part though was the three foot birch branch that held it all together.
This Christmas our tree is giving once again. I have many of the white branches throughout our nature inspired Christmas decorations. This year I talked my husband David into helping me make candle holders using the larger branches.
He picked an inch and half drill bit and after cutting the branches to varying lengths, he drilled in the centre of the branch to create a hold deep enough to place a votive candle.
They are lovely on their own, as singular birch candle holders with some pine cones or greenery around them. For the room where our family gathers I wanted a bigger arrangement. I took three of the varying sized birch candle holders, wrapped them in jute and circled them with cinnamon spiced pine cones. A magical combination!
And so…this tree keeps giving.
This winter I hope you can take a relaxing walk in nature. If you spy a tree that resonates with you, give it a hug and whisper thank you. I’m sure you will feel an energetic embrace back. When we are heightened to it, the energy from our trees sparkle and generously give what we need to keep going.
I want to thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today. I know how busy life can be this time of year. I hope I have inspired you to carry a branch of gratitude in your heart and maybe decorate your house this holiday season with your own creation from nature. In upcoming posts I’d like to share more of what we have been doing to keep this holiday simple and sacred. I also have another tree story~ our 2019 Christmas tree adventure…coming soon.
Until we connect again, may you be well, happy and peaceful this holiday season.
Blessings from Hope